Abbreviated dialing

ABSTRACT

An intelligent abbreviated dialing feature can use a portion of a phone number as a shortcut to dialing. Any portion of a phone number can be input into a communications device such as by pressing buttons on the keypad or speaking into a microphone. A processor in the communications device or on a network accessible by the communications device can generate the phone number register from frequently dialed numbers. The processor can compare the input into the communications device against the phone number register. For each digit of the phone number that is input into the communications device, the processor can search the phone numbers and provide search results with the corresponding numbers. A phone number can be selected from the search results and dialed.

BACKGROUND

Mobile phones typically have a speed dialing feature that stores numbersand utilizes shortcuts to dial them. A shortcut may be entered into amemory location of the mobile phone, such as by storing anidentification code associated to a particular number. For example, theidentification code for a shortcut that dials a particular number can bedefined by a specific button or sequence of buttons on the mobile phone.Then, when the shortcut button(s) is pressed, the entire numberassociated with the shortcut button(s) is dialed. Typically the shortcutinvolves a combination of buttons, such as a digit (0-9) on the keypadfollowed by # or a function button.

Each shortcut, or identification code, is pre-programmed for dialing aspecific number. The speed dial feature often goes unutilized becauseusers forget what number is associated with which shortcut. Further,speed dial phones typically have limited speed dial capacity. Speed dialcapacity refers to the quantity or numbers that the phone can rememberor the quantity of speed dial shortcuts are available. This limits theuse of shortcuts for dialing on the mobile phone. In addition, everytime the user wants to update the predetermined shortcut list, the userhas to re-program the shortcut list. This often requires that the userre-learn the method for programming the shortcut list.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is an intelligent abbreviated dialing feature that canuse any portion of a phone number as a shortcut to dialing. Any portionof a phone number can be input into a communications device such as bypressing buttons on the keypad or speaking into a microphone. Aprocessor in the communications device or on a network accessible by thecommunications device can compare the input against a phone numberregister, which comprises phone numbers stored in a memory. A processorcan generate the phone number register from frequently dialed numbers.For each digit of the phone number that is input into the communicationsdevice, the processor can search the phone numbers in the phone numberregister to find phone numbers that correspond to the input.

In an example embodiment, if the search results comprise more than onephone number, the communications network server or processor may requesta digit adjustment from a communications device over the communicationsnetwork. In another example embodiment, the communications devicereceives the request for digit adjustment and searches a phone numberregister for corresponding phone numbers. An adjusted phone numberselected for connection can be added to the phone number register in anorder of connection such that the most recently selected adjusted phonenumbers are displayed in such order to the user. Thus, the frequentlydialed numbers can be those that are the most frequently dialed adjustedphone numbers, rather than just frequently dialed numbers which may havebeen dialed by any method. The user can select a number to dial from thesearch results. The search results may be filtered down to just onenumber, at which point the user can select to dial that number or thephone may be programmed to automatically dial the number.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description ofillustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating theembodiments, there are shown in the drawings example constructions ofthe embodiments; however, the embodiments are not limited to thespecific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts an example configuration of a communications device 100that can utilize the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary networked environment that depicts anexample configuration of components that can utilize the disclosedtechniques.

FIGS. 3A-3C each depict a communications device 300, shown as a mobilephone, displaying various example results of the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 4 depicts an example method of searching a phone number registerfor at least one corresponding phone number.

FIG. 5 depicts an overall block diagram of an example packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichaspects of an embodiment may be practiced.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example alternate block diagram of an exemplaryGSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture in which the disclosedtechniques may be incorporated.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed herein is an intelligent abbreviated dialing feature that canuse any portion of a phone number as a shortcut to dialing. Acommunications device may be adapted to receive an input by a user, suchas the entry of a digit(s) on the keypad. The digit entered may be partof a phone number the user wishes to dial. A processor may compare thatdigit against a phone number register stored in memory. If there is amatch between the digit(s) entered with a digit(s) of any phone numberin memory, a display unit of the communications device can display alist of phone numbers with the matching digit(s). The user can select todial a number from this list. If enough digits are input into thecommunications device, the list of matching numbers may be narrowed downto only one, at which point the communications device can be configuredto automatically dial the remaining matching phone number.

In an example configuration, the processor that generates and searchesthe phone number register is a processing unit integrated into thecommunications device. In another example configuration, a networkdevice can manage the processor and handle the generation and storage ofa phone number register. For example, a communications provider canoffer a service via a communications network that receives a signalresponsive to an input into a communications device, such as one or moredigits. Based on that signal, the provider can search a phone numberregister and return search results based on the signal. It is alsocontemplated that any combination of entities can manage any number andcombination of processors for generating and storing the phone numberregister, searching the register, displaying the search results, anddialing a selected phone number.

The aspects summarized above can be embodied in various forms. Thefollowing description shows, by way of illustration, combinations andconfigurations in which the aspects can be practiced. It is understoodthat the described aspects and/or embodiments are merely examples. It isalso understood that other aspects and/or embodiments can be utilized,and structural and functional modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. For example,although some aspects herein relate to methods of searching a phonenumber register generated and stored by a network device orcommunications device, it should be noted that the phone number registermay generated by any appropriate processing unit. Similarly, althoughsome aspects relating to a communications device contemplate a devicecapable of communicating over a communications network, it should benoted that any method of communication is contemplated that enables acommunications device to communicate with another communications deviceor telecommunications component.

Many of the functional units described in this specification have beenlabeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize theirimplementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented asa hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays,off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or otherdiscrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmablehardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmablearray logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by varioustypes of processors. An identified module of executable code may, forinstance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computerinstructions which may, for instance, be organized as an object,procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identifiedmodule need not be physically located together, but may comprisedisparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joinedlogically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purposefor the module.

Indeed, a module of executable code may be a single instruction, or manyinstructions, and may even be distributed over several different codesegments, among different programs, and across several memory devices.Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated hereinwithin modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organizedwithin any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may becollected as a single data set, or may be distributed over differentlocations including over different storage devices, and may exist, atleast partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “an example embodiment,” or similar language means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent techniques disclosed. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in oneembodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and similarlanguage throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, allrefer to the same embodiment.

In the discussion that follows, details relating to mobile andcommunications devices and networks are assumed to be well known.Accordingly, such details are largely omitted herein for the sake ofclarity and explanation. Furthermore, the described features,structures, or characteristics of the disclosed techniques may becombined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided, such asexamples of programming, software modules, user selections, networktransactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules,hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the disclosed techniques. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize, however, that the disclosed techniquesmay be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosedtechniques.

FIG. 1 depicts an example configuration of a communications device 100that can utilize the disclosed techniques. A communications device 100may be any device capable of wired or wireless communications andtelecommunications. The communications may be accomplished via aconnection to a communications network, such as a network that routescalls to connect two communications devices, or via a close proximitywireless transmission, such as via a radio frequency link, usingwalkie-talkie capabilities, or the like. As contemplated by variousembodiments of the techniques disclosed, a communications device mayinclude, but is not limited to a radiophone, a portable computingdevice, such as a laptop, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), aportable phone, such as a cell phone or the like, a smart phone, aSession Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a video phone, a portable emaildevice, a thin client, a portable gaming device, or the like. Withrespect to FIG. 1 and the discussions that follow, any reference hereinto an example embodiment of a communications device 100 involving acellular telephone is solely for purposes of explanation, and is notintended to limit the techniques disclosed to any such embodiment.

The communications device 100 may operate in a cellular, SMR, PCS,cordless, unlicensed AWS, 700 MHz, or other spectrums. However,embodiments are not limited to those with network access, and theembodiments that describe network access are not limited by a networkservicing the device. Accordingly, embodiments may be applicable to anynetwork type including, for example, TDMA, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, WiFi,WiMAX, OFDM, UMTS, EV-DO, HSDPA/HSUPA and other standards now known orto be developed in the future.

The communications device 100 can include hardware components such as aprocessor, a graphics card, a storage component, a memory component, anantenna, a communication component, an interface component such as aspeaker, a display, a keypad, a microphone, or the like. Thecommunications device 104 may also include software components such asan operating system that may control the hardware components.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the communications device 104includes an interface component 102, a processor 104 having a searchmodule 108, a phone number register 108, a dialing component 110, and adisplay component 112 having a display module 114.

The communication component 103 may include an antenna, communicationport, or the like that may be used to establish a communication link.The communication component 103 may then communicate with servers or thelike over a network, for example, to connect the communications devicewith other telecommunications components, such as another communicationsdevice or a switching network. A network may include, for example, anintranet, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a cellular network, avoice over internet protocol (VoIP) network, and the like, for example.

The processor 104 may include any appropriate type of processor such asa single processor, multiple processors that may be distributed orcentrally located, or the like. For example, the processor 104 may be amobile communications device processor, a computer processor, a handheldprocessor, or the like. The processor 104 may include any other suitablehardware such as cache, Random Access Memory, storage devices, or thelike and/or software. The disclosed features for abbreviated dialing canbe added to software of the processor.

The interface component 102 may include, for example, an input componentsuch as a keypad, a touch screen, a button, a microphone, a functionkey, a speakerphone component, or the like, and an output component suchas a transmitter, a speaker, a microphone, or the like. Thecommunications device 100 may be adapted to receive an input by a uservia the input component 102. For example, the user may enter a digit viathe keypad or by speaking into a microphone or speaker component, forexample. The digit entered may be part of a phone number the user wishesto dial. The processor 104, via search module 106, can search the phonenumber register 108 for a corresponding phone number. A correspondingphone number is a phone number in the phone number register 108 havingthe at least one digit.

A domestic phone number comprises an area code, a prefix, and a linenumber. The area code designates a specific geographic region. Theprefix generall refers to a specific switch to which a phone line isconnected. Each switch at a phone carrier's central office can have aunique three-digit number. The line number is assigned at the switchlevel to the phone line that you are using. For long distance ornon-domestic phone calls, a “1” or a country code (i.e., internationalaccess code), respectively, may be dialed before the area code, prefix,and line number.

In an example embodiment, the corresponding phone number in the phonenumber register 108 having the at least one digit in a location otherthan a first digit location. Thus, the at least one digit could belocated anywhere in the phone number and is not limited to searchingfrom the beginning of a phone number, as is most traditional phonenumber search technologies.

The processor 104 may compare the digit against the phone numbers in thephone number register 108. The processor 104 may provide the results ofthe search (e.g., a list of corresponding phone numbers, onecorresponding phone number, null results, or the like) to a displaycomponent 112 of the communications device 100. The display component112 can display the search results to the user. In an exampleembodiment, the user can select to dial a number from the displayedlist. The dialing component 110 can initiate the dialing of the selectednumber. If the search of the phone number register 108 only results inone corresponding phone number, the dialing component may be programmedto automatically dial the corresponding phone number.

The user may put more than one digit into the communications device 100.The processor 104 may search the phone number register 108 forcorresponding phone numbers. In an example embodiment, the search module106 compares the multiple digits, in the order by which they are input,against the phone numbers in the phone number register 108. Acorresponding phone number in this example is a phone number having themultiple digits in the same order by which they are input. Thus, thelist of corresponding numbers may be narrowed down. The displaycomponent 112 can display the search results to the user and the usercan select to dial a number from the displayed list. Again, if thesearch of the phone number register 108 only results in onecorresponding phone number, the dialing component 110 may be programmedto automatically dial the corresponding phone number.

The processor 104 may generate the phone number register 108. Forexample, the processor 104 may generate a list of phone numbersaccording to various methods and store these in the phone numberregister 108. The phone number register 108, which may comprise phonenumbers, may be stored on a non-removable media, such as a computer chipinstalled in the communications device, a removable media (e.g., aSecure Digital card, a flash drive, a USB drive, magnetic tape, floppydisk, a compact disc, or the like) or a removable drive such as aremovable hard drive. The phone number register 108 storage unit may becommunicatively coupled to the processor 104.

The processor 104 may generate the phone number register 108 by storingan indication of numbers that are frequently dialed or received by thecommunications device 100. For example, many users make frequent callsto spouses, family members, children, doctors, stores, gyms, offices,co-workers, or the like. The processor 104 may be configured torecognize when a number is called frequently and add this to the phonenumber register 108. In an example embodiment, the processor 104 willadd a phone number to the phone number register 108 after the number isdialed a predetermined frequency of times, or a call is received fromthat number a predetermined frequency of times. For example, if a callis received from the same number 15 times in a month, the processor 104can be programmed to include that number in the phone number register108. Thus, if a user inputs a digit into the input component 102, thedigit may be compared against a list of phone numbers in the phonenumber register 108 that are most frequently dialed. The processor 104may also generate the phone number register 108 using numbers fromincoming/outgoing calls made to/from the communications device, recentincoming/outgoing calls, a contact list stored in the communicationsdevice or a computing device that can connect to the communicationsdevice, or the like.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary networked environment that depicts anexample configuration of components that can utilize the disclosedtechniques. The networked environment can include a network 202 and anetwork device 204. As shown in FIG. 2, a communications device 200 maybe in communication with a network 202. The network device 204 maygenerate and/or access a phone number register database 214, which maystore a phone number register. In this example configuration, a networkdevice 204 includes the processor 208 that manages and stores the phonenumber register. Thus, a communications provider can utilize a networkdevice 204 to offer a service via the communication provider's networkthat supports abbreviated dialing. For example, the network device 204can receive, via the network 202, a signal responsive to an input to thecommunications device 200. The input may be representative of one ormore digits. Based on that signal, the network device 204 can search thephone number register database 214 and return search results to thecommunications device 200 via the network 202. For example, a homelocation register (HLR) may receive a trigger to route a call to server204 for digit adjustment For example, if the input is “777,” and a dialbutton is pressed, a mobile switching center (part of a communicationssystem) can return a trigger to the HLR for digit adjustment. The server204 can replace the number with the matching number and route the call.If there are choices, voice control/DTMF may be used to receive aselection by the user. The number identified and called can be added tothe phone number register, such that the next time, “777” dials thepreviously selected number or lists that number at the top of theselectable list, without needing to receive a trigger from the MSC. Byadding the adjusted phone numbers to the phone number register, in anorder to which the communications device has been connected, the mostrecent phone numbers that are selected via the disclosed techniques maybe displayed first to the user for selection. Thus, the frequentlydialed numbers can be those that are the most frequently dialed adjustedphone numbers, rather than just frequently dialed numbers which may havebeen dialed by any method. The disclosed techniques are beneficial for auser that knows a digit of the number for which they desire to dial,filtering the display of a phone number register in an order based onthose phone numbers that have been connected to and selected based on aninput of at least one digit, rather than just those frequently dialednumbers. Those phone numbers, that are selected based on the user'sinput of at least one digit, are those that can be added to thefrequently dialed numbers list. The communications device 200 can dialthe number triggered based on the search results. Any method ofemploying such a service is contemplated, such as utilizing theUnstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) capability of GSM phones,utilizing an Internet Protocol (IP) network, Speak and Voicerecognition, or the like.

The network 202 may be any type of communication network such as theinternet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), acellular telephone network, or the like. For example, the network 202may include the example networks described below in FIGS. 3-5 such asGlobal System for Mobile communication (“GSM”), General Packet RadioService (“GPRS”), Universal Mobile Telephone System (“UMTS”), FrequencyDivision Duplexing (“FDD”) and Time Division Duplexing (“TDD”), HighSpeed Packet Data Access (“HERMDA”), cdma2000 1× Evolution DataOptimized (“EVDO”), Code Division Multiple Access-2000 (“cdma2000 3×”),Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (“TD-SCDMA”),Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (“WCDMA”), Enhanced Data GSMEnvironment (“EDGE”), International Mobile Telecommunications-2000(“IMT-2000”), Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (“DECT”),WiFi, WiMAX, or the like.

The network 202 may be operated by a network provider such as aninternet service provider, a cellular telephone provider, or the like.According to an example embodiment, the network provider may offerbandwidth and/or network access to subscribers thereof to enablecommunication between the subscribers and other devices such as cellularphones, PDAs, PCs, Voice over Internet Protocol devices, analogtelephone devices, or the like.

The network device 204 may have a networking component 206, a processor208 having a search module 210, and a transmitter 212. The networkingcomponent 206 can be configured to receive, via the network 202, asignal that is responsive to an input to the communications device 200.The input can be representative of at least one digit input into thecommunications device 200 via an input component, as described abovewith respect to communications device 100 in FIG. 1. The processor ofthe network device 204 can generate a phone number register based onnumbers dialed from or numbers associated with numbers received by thecommunications device 200. In an example embodiment, the processorgenerates the phone number register from numbers that are frequentlydialed from the communications device.

In the example configuration shown in FIG. 2., the phone number registeris stored in the phone number register database 214. The phone numberregister database 214 may be any form of data storage, including astorage module, device, or memory, for example. The phone numberregister database 214 may be provided as a database management system,an object-oriented database management system, a relational databasemanagement system (e.g., DB2, Access, etc), a file system, or anotherconventional database package. Further, the databases can be accessedvia a Structure Query Language (SQL), or other tools known to one ofordinary skill in the art.

The phone number register database 214 may contain an inventory of phonenumber information, such as a structured collection of records and/ordata associated with phone numbers, communication devices andusers/entities associated with the phone numbers, networks that supportcommunication with the communication devices, etc. The phone numberregister can include phone numbers from a global address book, acommunication network's subscriber list, a subscriber'sincoming/outgoing call list, or a subscriber's recent call list, forexample. The information in the phone number register database 214 maybe structured to enable a person or program to extract desiredinformation to share information about the user. For example, if theprocessor 208 updates the phone number register database with phonenumbers, the processor 208 of the network device 204, via the searchmodule 210, may have access to such information to search the database.Thus, the search module can search the phone number register for acorresponding phone number. A corresponding phone number is a phonenumber in the phone number register having the at least one digit. Thesearch module may compare the digit against the phone numbers from thephone number register.

The processor 208 may provide the results of the search (e.g., a list ofcorresponding phone numbers, one corresponding phone number, nullresults, or the like) to the network 202. The network 202 can providethe results of the search to the communications device 200. A displaycomponent of the communications device 200 can display the searchresults to a user. For example, the search results can be displayed as aselectable list on a display component. In an example embodiment, theuser can select to dial a number from the displayed list. The network202 may receive an indication of the user's selection and initiate therouting of the call through a communications network, such as network202. If the search of the phone number register only results in onecorresponding phone number, the network 202 can automatically initiatethe routing of the call through a communications network, such asnetwork 202.

A user may input more than one digit into the communications device. Inan example embodiment, the processor can compare the multiple digits, inthe order by which they are input, against the phone numbers in thephone number register. A corresponding phone number in this example is aphone number having the multiple digits in the same order by which theyare input. Thus, the list of corresponding numbers may be narrowed down.The network device 204 can transmit the search results from thetransmitter 212 to the communications device 200 via the network 202.Again, if the search of the phone number register only results in onecorresponding phone number, the network 202 can automatically initiatethe routing of the call through a communications network, such asnetwork 202.

One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that networks canconnect any computer or other client or server device, or in adistributed computing environment. In this regard, any computer systemor environment having any number of processing, memory, or storageunits, and any number of applications and processes occurringsimultaneously is considered suitable for use in connection with thesystems and methods provided. Distributed computing provides sharing ofcomputer resources and services by exchange between computing devicesand systems. These resources and services include the exchange ofinformation, cache storage and disk storage for files. Distributedcomputing takes advantage of network connectivity, allowing clients toleverage their collective power to benefit the entire enterprise. Inthis regard, a variety of devices may have applications, objects orresources that may implicate the processes described herein.

FIGS. 3A-3C each depict a communications device 300, shown as a mobilephone, displaying various example results of the disclosed techniques.The phone number register referred to in each of the examples shown inFIG. 3A-3C is the same for purposes of this example. The phone numberregister may have a plurality of stored phone numbers. In FIG. 3A, theuser 302 selects one “7,” represented by 304, which is displayed on adisplay component 306 of the communications device 300. As describedabove, a processor may search the phone number register forcorresponding phone numbers based on the input, which is a “7” in thisexample. The processor compares the “7” against phone numbers in a phonenumber register. A corresponding phone number is a phone number having a“7” somewhere in the entire phone number. The display component 306 candisplay the search results 308 to the user 302 via the display component306, and the user 302 can select to dial a number from the displayedlist. As shown in FIG. 3A, shown are five numbers having a “7.” Thus, inthis example, 5 corresponding numbers are displayed on the displaycomponent 306. The user 302 may select any of these numbers, such as byscrolling or selecting the designated number (1)-(5) associated witheach number. Then, a dialing component may dial the selected number.

A user 302 may input more than one digit into the communications device.FIG. 3B depicts another example of the results from the processor, thistime the search being a result of an input of “77,” represented by 310.In this example, the processor can compare the “77” in that orderagainst the phone numbers in the phone number register. A correspondingphone number in this example is a phone number having two “7”s next toeach other. Thus, the list of corresponding numbers may be narroweddown. As displayed on the display component 306, the search results 312show two corresponding phone numbers having a “77.” Again, the user 302may select one of these numbers for dialing.

FIG. 3C depicts a third example of the results from the search by theprocessor, this time the search being a result of an input of “777,”represented by 314. Again, the corresponding phone numbers in thisexample would be a phone number having the “777” in that order (i. e.,the same order by which they are input). Thus, the list of correspondingnumbers may be narrowed down. As shown, the search results 316 of thephone number register show one corresponding phone number, as displayedon the display component 306. In this example, the dialing component maybe programmed to automatically dial the corresponding phone number.Alternately, the user 302 can select the one number shown to initiatedialing. Thus, the examples in FIG. 3A-3C indicate that the more digitsentered by the user can narrow the search results.

FIG. 4 depicts an example method of searching a phone number registerfor at least one corresponding phone number. At 402, a processor maygenerate a phone number register by storing an indication of numbersthat are frequently dialed or received by the communications device. Forexample, many users make frequent calls to spouses, family members,children, doctors, stores, gyms, offices, co-workers, or the like. Theprocessor may be configured to recognize when a number is calledfrequently and add this to the phone number register. In an exampleembodiment, the processor will add a phone number to the phone numberregister after the number is dialed a predetermined frequency of times,or a call is received from that number a predetermined frequency oftimes. The list can be updated and rotated based on numbers mostfrequently called. The frequent call list could be generated by sortingan address book based on the actual use of the numbers, ordering thembased on frequency, and accordingly, displaying the more frequentcorresponding phone numbers first. The phone number register can furthercomprise phone numbers from a stored contact list, an incoming/outgoingcall list, a recent call list, or the like.

The processor may store the phone number register, at 404, in any typeof suitable storage. For example, the phone number register can bestored on a non-removable media, such as a computer chip installed inthe communications device, a removable media (e.g., a Secure Digitalcard, a flash drive, a USB drive, magnetic tape, floppy disk, a compactdisc, or the like) or a removable drive such as a removable hard drive.

At 406, the processor may receive an input representative of at leastone digit selected via an input component of a communications device.Based on the digit(s), the a search module may search the phone numberregister for a phone number that corresponds to the digit(s). Acorresponding phone number is a phone number in the phone numberregister having the digit(s). The input can have multiple digits suchthat the corresponding phone number is a phone number in the phonenumber register having those multiple digits in the same order by whichthey were input into the communications device.

The processor may provide the search results to a communications devicecomponent or a telecommunications network component. In an exampleconfiguration, the communications device component is a display unitconfigured to display the search results. The search results can bedisplayed as a selectable list of corresponding phone numbers. Inanother example configuration, the mobile phone component is a dialingcomponent. Upon receipt and display of the search results, the dialingcomponent may dial a selected number. If the search results comprise asingle corresponding phone number, the user can select the number fordialing or the dialing component can be programmed to automatically dialthat number.

In another example configuration, the telecommunications networkcomponent is a transmitter configured to further provide the searchresults to the communications device. For example, if the network devicethat generates, stores, and searches the phone number register isaccessible via a network, such as network 202 described above, thenetwork device may transmit the search results over the network via atransmitter. Accordingly, a communications device may receive the searchresults over the network.

The global system for mobile communication (“GSM”) is one of the mostwidely-used wireless access systems in today's fast growingcommunication systems. GSM provides circuit-switched data services tosubscribers, such as mobile telephone or computer users, for example.General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”), which is an extension to GSMtechnology, introduces packet switching to GSM networks. GPRS uses apacket-based wireless communication technology to transfer high and lowspeed data and signaling in an efficient manner. GPRS optimizes the useof network and radio resources, thus enabling the cost effective andefficient use of GSM network resources for packet mode applications. Forpurposes of explanation, various embodiments are described herein inconnection with GSM. The references to GSM are not exclusive, however,as it should be appreciated that embodiments may be implemented inconnection with any type of wireless access system such as, for example,CDMA or the like.

As may be appreciated, the example GSM/GPRS environment and servicesdescribed herein can also be extended to 3G services, such as UniversalMobile Telephone System (“UMTS”), Frequency Division Duplexing (“FDD”)and Time Division Duplexing (“TDD”), High Speed Packet Data Access(“HSPDA”), cdma2000 1× Evolution Data Optimized (“EVDO”), Code DivisionMultiple Access-2000 (“cdma2000 3×”), Time Division Synchronous CodeDivision Multiple Access (“TD-SCDMA”), Wideband Code Division MultipleAccess (“WCDMA”), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (“EDGE”), InternationalMobile Telecommunications-2000 (“IMT-2000”), Digital Enhanced CordlessTelecommunications (“DECT”), etc., as well as to other network servicesthat shall become available in time. In this regard, the techniques ofthe various embodiments discussed below may be applied independently ofthe method of data transport, and does not depend on any particularnetwork architecture, or underlying protocols.

FIG. 5 depicts an overall block diagram of an example packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichaspects of an embodiment may be practiced. In such an environment, theremay be any number of subsystems that implement the functionality of theenvironment such as, for example, a plurality of Base Station Subsystems(“BSS”) 700 (only one is shown in FIG. 5), each of which comprises aBase Station Controller (“BSC”) 704 serving a plurality of BaseTransceiver Stations (“BTS”) such as, for example, the BTSs 701, 702 and703. may be the access points where users of packet-based mobile devicesbecome connected to the wireless network. In an embodiment, the packettraffic originating from user devices is transported over the airinterface to the BTS 703, and from the BTS 703 to the BSC 704. Basestation subsystems, such as the BSS 700, may be a part of internal framerelay network 706 that may include Service GPRS Support Nodes (“SGSN”)such as the SGSN 705 and 707. Each SGSN 705, 707, etc. may be in turnconnected to an internal packet network 708 through which the SGSN 705,707, etc. can route data packets to and from a plurality of gateway GPRSsupport nodes (GGSN) 709, 710 and 711, etc.

As illustrated, the SGSN 707 and the GGSNs 709, 710 and 711 may be partof the internal packet network 708. Gateway GPRS serving nodes 709, 710and 711 may provide an interface to external Internet Protocol (“IP”)networks such as Public Land Mobile Network (“PLMN”) 715, corporateintranets 717, Fixed-End System (“FES”), the public Internet 713 and/orthe like. As illustrated, subscriber corporate network 717 may beconnected to the GGSN 711 via a firewall 712; and the PLMN 715 may beconnected to the GGSN 711 via a boarder gateway router 714. A RemoteAuthentication Dial-In User Service (“RADIUS”) server 716 may be usedfor caller authentication when a user of a mobile cellular device callscorporate network 717, for example.

Generally, there may be four cell sizes in a GSM network—macro, micro,pico and umbrella cells. The coverage area of each cell is different indifferent environments. Macro cells may be regarded as cells where thebase station antenna is installed in a mast or a building above averageroof top level. Micro cells may be cells whose antenna height is underaverage roof top level; they are typically used in urban areas. Picocells may be small cells having a diameter is a few dozen meters; theymay be mainly used indoors. On the other hand, umbrella cells may beused to cover shadowed regions of smaller cells and fill in gaps incoverage between those cells.

FIG. 6 illustrates the architecture of a typical GPRS network assegmented into four areas: users 815, radio access network 820, corenetwork 824 and interconnect network 837. The users area 815 may includea plurality of end users. The radio access network are 820 may include aplurality of base station subsystems such as the BSSs 823, which includeBTSs 821 and BSCs 822. The core network are 824 may include a host ofvarious network elements. As illustrated here, the core network 824 mayinclude a Mobile Switching Center (“MSC”) 825, a Service Control Point(“SCP”) 826, a gateway MSC 827, a SGSN 830, a Home Location Register(“HLR”) 829, an Authentication Center (“AuC”) 828, a Domain Name Server(“DNS”) 831 and a GGSN 832. The interconnect network area 837 also mayinclude networks and network elements. As illustrated in FIG. 6, theinterconnect network are 837 may include a Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (“PSTN”) 833, a Fixed-End System (“FES”) and/or the Internet834, a firewall 835 and/or a Corporate Network 836.

A mobile switching center 825 may be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 825, for example, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated such that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 833 through Gateway MSC(“GMSC”) 827, and/or data may be sent to the SGSN 830, which then sendsthe data traffic to the GGSN 832 for further forwarding.

When the MSC 825 receives call traffic, for example, from the BSC 822,it may send a query to a database hosted by the SCP 826. The SCP 826 mayprocess the request and may issue a response to the MSC 825 so that itmay continue call processing as appropriate.

The HLR 829 may be a centralized database for users to register with theGPRS network. The HLR 829 may store static information about thesubscribers such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity(“IMSI”), subscribed services, and/or a key for authenticating thesubscriber. The HLR 829 may also store dynamic subscriber informationsuch as the current location of the mobile subscriber. Associated withHLR 829 may be an AuC 828. The AuC 828 may be a database that containsthe algorithms for authenticating subscribers and may include theassociated keys for encryption to safeguard the user input forauthentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber” mayrefer to either the end user or to the actual portable device used by anend user of the mobile cellular service. When a mobile subscriber turnsa mobile device, the mobile device goes through an attach process bywhich the mobile device attaches to a SGSN of the GPRS network.Referring now to FIG. 6, mobile subscriber 819 may initiate the attachprocess by turning on the network capabilities of the mobile device. Anattach request may be sent by the mobile subscriber 819 to the SGSN 830.The SGSN 830 may query another SGSN, to which the mobile subscriber 819may have been attached before, for the identity of the mobile subscriber819. Upon receiving the identity of the mobile subscriber 819 from theother SGSN, the SGSN 830 may request more information from the mobilesubscriber 819. This information may be used to authenticate the mobilesubscriber 819 to the SGSN 830 by the HLR 829. Once the mobilesubscriber 819 is verified, the SGSN 830 may send a location update tothe HLR 829 indicating the change of location to a new SGSN, in thiscase the SGSN at 830. The HLR 829 may notify the old SGSN, to which themobile subscriber 819 was attached, to cancel the location process forthe mobile subscriber 819. The HLR 829 may then notify the SGSN 830 thatthe location update has been performed. At this time, the SGSN 830 maysends an “Attach Accept” message to the mobile subscriber 819, which inturn, may send an “Attach Complete” message to the SGSN 830.

After the attaching process, the mobile subscriber 819 may enter anauthentication process. In the authentication process, the SGSN 830 maysend authentication information to the HLR 829, which may sendinformation back to the SGSN 830 based on the user profile that was partof the user's initial setup. The SGSN 830 may then send a request forauthentication and ciphering to the mobile subscriber 819. The mobilesubscriber 819 may use an algorithm to send the user identification (ID)and/or a password to the SGSN 830. The SGSN 830 may use the samealgorithm to compare the result. If a match occurs, the SGSN 830 mayauthenticate the mobile subscriber 819.

Next, the mobile subscriber 819 may establish a user session with thedestination network, for example, the corporate network 836, by goingthrough a Packet Data Protocol (“PDP”) activation process. The mobilesubscriber 819 may request access to the Access Point Name (“APN”), forexample, UPS.com, and the SGSN 830 may receive the activation requestfrom the mobile subscriber 819. The SGSN 830 may then initiate a DomainName Service (“DNS”) query to learn which GGSN node has access to theUPS.com APN. The DNS query may be sent to the DNS server 831 within thecore network 824 which may be provisioned to map to one or more GGSNnodes in the core network 824. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN 832 mayaccess the requested corporate network 836. The SGSN 830 may then sendto the GGSN 832 a Create Packet Data Protocol (“PDP”) Context Requestmessage. The GGSN 832 may send a Create PDP Context Response message tothe SGSN 830, which may then send an Activate PDP Context Accept messageto the mobile subscriber 819.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by the mobile subscriber819 may then go through radio access network 820, core network 824, andinterconnect network 837, to reach corporate network 836.

FIG. 7 shows another example block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture 938. As illustrated, the architecture938 of FIG. 7 includes a GSM core network 954, a GPRS network 957 and/oran IP multimedia network 959. The GSM core network 954 may include aMobile Station (MS) 940, at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS)941, and/or a Base Station Controller (BSC) 942. The MS 940 may beMobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobile phone and/or a laptop computer202 c that is used by mobile subscribers, with a Subscriber identityModule (SIM). The SIM may include an International Mobile SubscriberIdentity (IMSI), which may include a unique identifier of a subscriber.The BTS 941 may be physical equipment, such as a radio tower, thatenables a radio interface to communicate with the MS 940. Each BTS mayserve more than one MS 940. The BSC 942 may manage radio resources,including the BTS 941. The BSC 942 may be connected to several BTS 941.The BSC 942 and BTS 941 components, in combination, are generallyreferred to as a base station (BS) and/or a radio access network (RAN)943.

The GSM core network 954 may include a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)944, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 945, a Home LocationRegister (HLR) 946, a Visitor Location Register (VLR) 947, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 949, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 948. The MSC 944 may perform a switching function for the network.The MSC may performs other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC945 may provide a gateway between the GSM network and other networks,such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN) 950. In other words, the GMSC 945 mayprovide interworking functionality with external networks.

The HLR 946 may include a database that contains administrativeinformation regarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSMnetwork. The HLR 946 may contain the current location of each mobilesubscriber. The VLR 947 may include a database that contains selectedadministrative information from the HLR 946. The VLR may containinformation necessary for call control and provision of subscribedservices for each mobile subscriber currently located in a geographicalarea controlled by the VLR 947. The HLR 946 and the VLR 947, togetherwith MSC 944, may provide call routing and roaming capabilities of theGSM network. The AuC 948 may provide parameters for authenticationand/or encryption functions. Such parameters may allow verification of asubscriber's identity. The EIR 949 may store security-sensitiveinformation about the mobile equipment.

The Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 951 may allow one-to-one ShortMessage Service (SMS) messages to be sent to/from the mobile subscriber940. For example, the Push Proxy Gateway (PPG) 952 may be used to “push”(i.e., send without a synchronous request) content to mobile subscriber902. The PPG 952 may act as a proxy between wired and wireless networksto facilitate pushing of data to MS 940. Short Message Peer to Peer(SMPP) protocol router 953 may be provided to convert SMS-based SMPPmessages to cell broadcast messages. SMPP may include a protocol forexchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short messageservice centers. It may allow third parties, e.g., content supplierssuch as news organizations, to submit bulk messages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and short messageservice (SMS), the MS 940 may first registers with the network toindicate its current location by performing a location update and IMSIattach procedure. MS 940 may send a location update including itscurrent location information to the MSC/VLR, via the BTS 941 and the BSC942. The location information may then be sent to the MS's HLR. The HLRmay be updated with the location information received from the MSC/VLR.The location update may also be performed when the MS moves to a newlocation area. Typically, the location update may be periodicallyperformed to update the database as location updating events occur.

GPRS network 957 may be logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 955 and a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 956. The SGSN 955 may be at the samehierarchical level as the MSC 944 in the GSM network. The SGSN maycontrol the connection between the GPRS network and the MS 940. The SGSNmay also keep track of individual MS locations, security functions, andaccess controls.

The Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 971 may communicate cell broadcastmessages that are typically delivered to multiple users in a specifiedarea. A Cell Broadcast may include a one-to-many geographically focusedservice. It may enable messages to be communicated to multiple mobilephone customers who are located within a given part of its networkcoverage area at the time the message is broadcast.

The GGSN 956 may provides a gateway between the GPRS network and apublic packet network (PDN) or other IP networks 958. That is, the GGSNmay provide interworking functionality with external networks, and mayset up a logical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switcheddata leaves the GPRS network, it is transferred to external TCP-IPnetwork 958, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order to accessGPRS services, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS network byperforming an attach procedure. The MS then activates a packet dataprotocol (PDP) context, thus activating a packet communication sessionbetween the MS, the SGSN, and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services may be used inparallel. The MS may operate in one three classes: class A, class B, andclass C. A class A MS may attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS may also supportsimultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example,class A mobiles may receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data callsat the same time. The class B MS may attach to the network for both GPRSservices and GSM services simultaneously. However, the class B MS maynot support simultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSMservices. That is, the class B MS may use one of the two services at agiven time. A class C MS may attach to one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time.

The GPRS network 957 may be designed to operate in three networkoperation modes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of aGPRS network may be indicated by a parameter in system informationmessages transmitted within a cell. The system information messages maydictate to a MS where to listen for paging messages and how signaltowards the network. The network operation mode may represent thecapabilities of the GPRS network. In a NOM1 network, a MS may receivepages from a circuit switched domain (voice call) when engaged in a datacall. The MS may suspend the data call or take both simultaneously,depending on the ability of the MS. In a NOM2 network, a MS may notreceived pages from a circuit switched domain when engaged in a datacall, since the MS is receiving data and is not listening to a pagingchannel In a NOM3 network, a MS may monitor pages for a circuit switchednetwork while received data and vise versa.

IP multimedia network 959 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andincludes IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 960 to provide rich multimediaservices to end users. A representative set of the network entitieswithin IMS 960 are a call/session control function (CSCF), media gatewaycontrol function (MGCF) 962, media gateway (MGW) 965, and a mastersubscriber database, referred to as a home subscriber server (HSS) 968.HSS 968 may be common to GSM network 954, GPRS network 957 as well as IPmultimedia network 959.

IP multimedia system 960 is built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)964, proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 961 and serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 963. P-CSCF 961may be the MS's first point of contact with IMS 960. P-CSCF 961 forwardssession initiation protocol (SIP) messages received from the MS to anSIP server in a home network (and vice versa) of the MS. P-CSCF 961 mayalso modify an outgoing request according to a set of rules defined bythe network operator (for example, address analysis and potentialmodification).

The I-CSCF 964 may be an entrance to a home network, may hide the innertopology of the home network from other networks, and may providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. The I-CSCF 964 may contactsubscriber location function (SLF) 969 to determine which HSS 968 to usefor the particular subscriber, if multiple HSSs 968 are present. TheS-CSCF 963 may perform the session control services for the MS 940. Thisincludes routing originating sessions to external networks and routingterminating sessions to visited networks. S-CSCF 963 may also decidewhether application server (AS) 967 is required to receive informationon an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriate servicehandling. This decision may be based on information received from HSS968 (or other sources, such as application server 967). The AS 967 alsocommunicates to location server 970 (e.g., a Gateway Mobile LocationCenter (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g., latitude/longitudecoordinates) of the MS 940.

The HSS 968 may contain a subscriber profile and may keep track of whichcore network node is currently handling the subscriber. It may alsosupport subscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). Innetworks with more than one HSS 968, a subscriber location functionprovides information on HSS 968 that contains the profile of a givensubscriber.

The MGCF 962 may provide interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from IMS 960 and ISUP/BICC call control signaling fromthe external GSTN networks (not shown). It also may control the mediagateway (MGW) 965 that provides user-plane interworking functionality(e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice). The MGW 965 maycommunicate with other IP multimedia networks 966.

The Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile phones may registerwith the wireless network when the phones are in a predefined area(e.g., job site, etc.). When the mobile phones leave the area, they mayregister with the network in their new location as being outside thepredefined area. This registration, however, may not indicate the actualphysical location of the mobile phones outside the pre-defined area.

While the various embodiments have been described in connection with thepreferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understoodthat other similar embodiments may be used or modifications andadditions may be made to the described embodiment for performing thesame function of the various embodiments without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the embodiments should not be limited to any singleembodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope inaccordance with the appended claims.

While example embodiments of the present subject matter have beendescribed in connection with various computing devices, the underlyingconcepts can be applied to any computing device or system capable ofimplementing the present subject matter. The various techniquesdescribed herein can be implemented in connection with hardware orsoftware or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, themethods and apparatus for searching a phone number register, or certainaspects or portions thereof, can take the form of program code (i.e.,instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes,CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium,wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine,such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for implementingthe present subject matter. In the case of program code execution onprogrammable computers, the computing device will generally include aprocessor, a storage medium readable by the processor (includingvolatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least oneinput device, and at least one output device. The program(s) can beimplemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case,the language can be a compiled or interpreted language, and combinedwith hardware implementations.

The methods and apparatus for abbreviated dialing and searching a phonenumber register also can be practiced via communications embodied in theform of program code that is transmitted over some transmission medium,such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or viaany other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code isreceived and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as an EPROM, agate array, a programmable logic device (PLD), a client computer, or thelike, the machine becomes an apparatus for providing informationpertaining to a motor vehicle. When implemented on a general-purposeprocessor, the program code combines with the processor to provide aunique apparatus that operates to invoke the functionality of thepresent subject matter. Additionally, any storage techniques used inconnection with the present subject matter can invariably be acombination of hardware and software.

While the present subject matter has been described in connection withthe various embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understoodthat other similar embodiments can be used or modifications andadditions can be made to the described embodiment for performing thesame function of generating and searching a phone register withoutdeviating therefrom. For example, one skilled in the art will recognizethat a system for abbreviated dialing as described can apply to anyenvironment, whether wired or wireless, and can be applied to any numberof devices connected via a communications network and interacting acrossthe network. Therefore, providing search results with correspondingphone numbers should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rathershould be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appendedclaims.

While the disclosed techniques been described in connection with thepreferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understoodthat other similar embodiments may be used or modifications andadditions may be made to the described embodiment for performing thesame function of the presently disclosed techniques without deviatingtherefrom. For example, while exemplary network environments of thedisclosed techniques are described in the context of a networkedenvironment, such as a peer to peer networked environment, one skilledin the art will recognize that the presently disclosed techniques arenot limited thereto, and that the methods, as described in the presentapplication may apply to any computing device or environment, such as agaming console, handheld computer, portable computer, etc., whetherwired or wireless, and may be applied to any number of such computingdevices connected via a communications network, and interacting acrossthe network. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that a variety ofcomputer platforms, including handheld device operating systems andother application specific operating systems are contemplated,especially as the number of wireless networked devices continues toproliferate. Still further, the presently disclosed techniques may beimplemented in or across a plurality of processing chips or devices, andstorage may similarly be effected across a plurality of devices.Therefore, the presently disclosed techniques should not be limited toany single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth andscope in accordance with the appended claims.

1. A network device comprising: a networking component configured toreceive, over a communications network, a signal that is responsive toan input to a communications device, wherein the input is representativeof at least one digit; a processor configured to: generate a phonenumber register from at least one frequently dialed number, wherein thephone number register is stored in a memory communicatively coupled tothe processor; search the phone number register for at least onecorresponding phone number, wherein a corresponding phone number is aphone number in the phone number register comprising the at least onedigit in a location other than a first digit location, and wherein aresult of the search is search results; and perform one of: request adigit adjustment if the search results comprise more than one phonenumber; or connect a communications device to the search results if thesearch results comprise a single phone number; and a transmitterconfigured to, over the communications network: transmit the digitadjustment request; and provide the search results to the communicationsdevice,
 2. The network device in accordance with claim 1, wherein thephone number register further comprises phone numbers from at least oneof a global address book, a communication network's subscriber list, asubscriber's incoming/outgoing call list, or a subscriber's recent calllist.
 3. The network device in accordance with claim 1, wherein thesearch results comprise a plurality of corresponding phone numbers fordisplay in a selectable list on the communications device.
 4. Thenetwork device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the search resultscomprise one corresponding phone number and the network device isconfigured to route a call from the communications device based on theone corresponding phone number.
 5. The network device in accordance withclaim 1, further comprising receiving a selected phone number from aprovided selectable list of a plurality of corresponding phone numbers,wherein the network device is configured to route a call based on theselected phone number.
 6. The network device in accordance with claim 1,wherein the input is representative of at least two digits and thecorresponding phone number is a phone number in the phone numberregister having the at least two digits in an order designated by thesignal.
 7. The network device in accordance with claim 1, the networkingcomponent further configured to receive a adjusted phone number when thedigit adjustment is requested.
 8. The network device in accordance withclaim 7, wherein the received adjusted phone number is added to thephone number register for a display in an order of adjusted phonenumbers to which the communications device connects.
 9. A communicationsdevice comprising: an interface component configured to: receive aninput representative of at least one digit; receive one of: a requestfor a digit adjustment if search results comprise more than one phonenumber; an indication that the communications device is being connectedto a phone number if the search results comprise a single number; aprocessor configured to: generate a phone number register from at leastone frequently dialed number, wherein the phone number register isstored in a memory communicatively coupled to the processor; search thephone number register for at least one corresponding phone number basedon the input, wherein a corresponding phone number is a phone number inthe phone number register comprising the at least one digit in alocation other than a first digit location, and wherein a result of thesearch is the search results; and a display component configured todisplay the search results.
 10. The communications device in accordancewith claim 9, wherein the phone number register further comprises phonenumbers from at least one of a stored contact list, an incoming/outgoingcall list, or a recent call list.
 11. The communications device inaccordance with claim 9, wherein an adjusted phone number is a phonenumber selected from a selectable list of corresponding phone numbersdisplayed on the display component.
 12. The communications device inaccordance with claim 9, wherein if the search results comprise onecorresponding phone number, the one corresponding phone number is addedto the phone number register for display in an order of adjusted phonenumbers to which the communications device is connected.
 13. Thecommunications device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the input isrepresentative of at least two digits and the corresponding phone numberis a phone number in the phone number register having the at least twodigits in an order by which they are input into the interface componentof the communications device
 14. A method of searching a phone numberregister, the method comprising: generating the phone number registerfrom at least one frequently dialed number; storing the phone numberregister; receiving an input representative of at least one digitselected via an interface component of a communications device;searching the phone number register for at least one corresponding phonenumber, wherein a corresponding phone number is a phone number in thephone number register comprising the at least one digit in a locationother than a first digit location, and wherein a result of searching issearch results; determine at least one of: a digit adjustment if thesearch results comprise more than one phone number; an indication thatthe communications device is being connected to a phone number if thesearch results comprise a single number; and providing the searchresults to at least one of a communications device component or atelecommunications network component.
 15. The method in accordance withclaim 14, wherein the communications device component is a display unitconfigured to display the search results.
 16. The method in accordancewith claim 15, wherein the search results are displayable as aselectable list of corresponding phone numbers.
 17. The method inaccordance with claim 14, further comprising at least one of dialing anumber that is selected from the search results or, if the searchresults comprise one corresponding phone number, automatically dialingthe one corresponding phone number from the search results.
 18. Themethod in accordance with claim 14, wherein the communications devicecomponent is a dialing component and upon receipt of the search resultswith one corresponding phone number, a dialing component is configuredto automatically dial the one corresponding phone number.
 19. The methodaccordance with claim 14, wherein an adjusted phone number is added tothe phone number register for display in an order of adjusted phonenumbers to which the communications device connects.
 20. The method inaccordance with claim 14, wherein the telecommunications networkcomponent is a transmitter configured to further provide the searchresults to the communications device.
 21. The method in accordance withclaim 14, wherein the input comprises at least two digits and thecorresponding phone number is a phone number in the phone numberregister having the at least two digits in an order by which they areselected via the interface component of the communications device
 22. Acomputer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions forsearching a phone number register, wherein when the instructions areexecuted by a processor, the instructions cause the processor to performa method comprising: generating the phone number register from at leastone frequently dialed number; storing the phone number register;receiving an input representative of at least one digit selected via aninterface component of a communications device; searching the phonenumber register for at least one corresponding phone number, wherein acorresponding phone number is a phone number in the phone numberregister comprising the at least one digit in a location other than afirst digit location, wherein a result of the searching is searchresults; and providing the search results to at least one of acommunications device component or a telecommunications networkcomponent.
 23. The computer readable storage medium in accordance withclaim 21, wherein the search results are provided as a displayable listof corresponding phone numbers.
 24. The computer readable storage mediumin accordance with claim 21, further comprising instructions for atleast one of dialing a number that is selected from the search resultsor, if the search results comprise one corresponding phone number,automatically dialing the one corresponding phone number from the searchresults.
 25. The computer readable storage medium in accordance withclaim 21, wherein the input comprises at least two digits and thecorresponding phone number is a phone number in the phone numberregister having the at least two digits in an order by which they areselected via the interface component of the communications device.